Ex-MTN executive Farroukh joins Smile

former MTN SA CEO, Ahmad Farroukh

By TINTSWALO BALOYIJOHANNESBURG, (CAJ News) – SMILE Telecoms Holdings has announced the appointment of Ahmad Farroukh to its board as Executive Director of Operations, effective immediately.
Irene Charnley, Smile Group’s Chief Executive Officer, confirmed the appointment.
“The Africa telecoms market is as dynamic as it is challenging, and Ahmad Farroukh is perfectly suited to lead Smile’s next exciting phase of growth, as we have transitioned from a spectrum rich start-up to the most reliable data gigabyte factory in Sub-Sahara Africa,” said Charnley.
Farroukh is best known for his role at the MTN Group where he was CEO of MTN Nigeria and South Africa and MTN Group Chief Operating Executive.
He has held executive management positions at Investcom Holdings. Most recently, he served as CEO of Mobily, Saudi Arabia’s second largest telecommunications operator.
Speaking after his appointment, he said Africa was experiencing explosive data growth.
“I am honoured to have the opportunity to lead the operations of the continent’s best 4G LTE network at this exciting time,” said Farroukh.
Smile is a Pan-African telecommunications group with operations in Democratic Republic of the Congo, Nigeria, Tanzania and Uganda.
– CAJ News